Alabama Ruling Upends IVF Future For Cancer Patients, Medical Providers
February 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on the continuing health and political fallout from the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling on the personhood of frozen embryos. Doctors say it’s the safest IVF method for mothers and babies, and the only option for cancer patients. Meanwhile, Democrats and Republicans react to the decision that could have electoral impact.
Change Healthcare Mum On Whether It Has Recovered From Cyberattack
February 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
UnitedHealth subsidiary Change Healthcare’s systems were down for a fourth straight day Saturday. The exploit was possible thanks to a security flaw that still worries security experts. The company’s website did not mention the outage on its website Monday morning.
Measles Cases Rise In Florida As State Surgeon General’s Advice Is Criticized
February 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
A seventh measles case is found in the Florida outbreak, and the first in a child under 5, as experts oppose a controversial decision to let parents send unvaccinated children to school. Meanwhile, Michigan has reported its first measles case since 2019, and Minnesota reports a third case.
Though Covid And RSV Decline, Flu Levels Stay High Across US
February 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Flu levels show increases in half of U.S. regions, the CDC noted in its weekly update. Separately, scientists link birth month to the timing of a first flu shot: Kids born in October are more likely to get the shot and less likely to be diagnosed with flu.
Study: Xolair Helps Reduce Reactions For Kids With Severe Food Allergies
February 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Researchers report that Xolair can cut the risk of dangerous reactions after exposure to trace amounts of food allergens like nuts, milk, or eggs. The drug has already been approved by the FDA for people ages 1 and older with food allergies.
Supreme Court Case May Influence Social Media’s Future
February 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
An important First Amendment case will be heard today, concerning how publications on social media outlets may be judged. Politico argues that conservative values have already “largely won,” as Bloomberg says Mark Zuckerberg is pushing for zero personal liability in Facebook addiction cases.
First Edition: Feb. 26, 2024
February 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California Gov. Newsom Wants Voters to Approve Billions More to Help the Homeless. Will It Help?
By Angela Hart
February 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A March 5 ballot initiative seeks $6.4 billion to build thousands of new housing units and provide mental health treatment for homeless people — on top of the billions already being spent to address the public health crisis. Despite significant support from health and law enforcement officials, many front-line workers are skeptical that more money is the answer.
If You’re Poor, Fertility Treatment Can Be Out of Reach
By Michelle Andrews
February 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
For low-income people who are on Medicaid or whose employer health plan is skimpy, help for infertility seems unattainable.
Horse Sedative Use Among Humans Spreads in Deadly Mixture of ‘Tranq’ and Fentanyl
By Sam Ogozalek, Tampa Bay Times
February 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Illegal supplies of fentanyl are being cut with xylazine, a powerful horse tranquilizer. Overdoses involving this veterinary sedative are growing nationally and now Florida officials are tracking the deaths.
Brote de sarampión: Florida dice que niños no vacunados pueden ir a la escuela, desafiando a los CDC
By Amy Maxmen
February 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
La mayoría de las personas que no están protegidas por una vacuna contraerán sarampión si se exponen al virus. Existe riesgo de muerte.
Opposition to Medicaid Expansion Thaws in an Unexpected Place: The Deep South
By Daniel Chang and Andy Miller
February 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
For more than a decade, some Southern states have resisted Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, even though data suggest it could help their residents. Today, the large majority of uninsured Americans who would gain coverage under Medicaid expansion — and who would benefit from affordable access to care — live in non-expansion states […]
Americans See Mental Health Issues As A Top Public Health Threat
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The latest Axios-Ipsos American Health Index survey found poor mental health ranks behind obesity and the opioid crisis as the biggest worries Americans have over public health of the nation. Also in the news: scientists dig into long covid’s “brain fog,” viagra and Alzheimer’s, and more.
A Hack At UnitedHealth Hits Pharmacy Services Across Country
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The hack hit UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare unit, and affected several pharmacy chains. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare reports that so far in 2024 health care cyberattacks have exposed 11.6 million people’s data. Also in the news, health care employment, female doctors, more.
Viewpoints: The Grim Health Effects Of Climate Change; Fallout From Alabama IVF Ruling Has Begun
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle climate change, Alabama’s recent ruling, tampon tax, and more.
New York AG Pushes FDA To Warn Of Mental Health Risks From Asthma Drug
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
New York Attorney General Letitia James asked the FDA to take immediate action to boost warnings of the mental health side effects of Singulair for children. Also in the news: Texas drops out of federal summer meals program for kids; Florida moves forward on a social media age bill; and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, February 23, 2024
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Fallout from the Alabama IVF ruling, high prescription prices, mental health, measles, abortion law, drug safety, and more are in the news.
Democrats Blast Alabama IVF Ruling; Republicans Aim To Minimize Election Impact
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden called the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision “outrageous and unacceptable,” as Democrats link it to a expanding threat to reproductive health rights. Meanwhile, many Republicans defend the importance of IVF. In Alabama, 2 more IVF facilities paused operations while state Republicans eye new legislation.
In Wake Of Trump’s 16-Week Abortion Ban Hint, 48% Say They’d Support It
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The latest Economist/YouGov poll finds that nearly half of Americans would support a national 16-week abortion ban. The news comes after former President Donald Trump privately expressed that he’d back the idea in a potential second term. Also in the news: the “war” over states’ abortion shield bans; abortion rights on ballots; more.
Congress Lobbied To Pass PBM Reforms By State Attorneys General
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The National Association of Attorneys General wrote House and Senate leaders this week, asking lawmakers to pass legislation that would require pharmacy benefit managers to disclose more about their prescription drug price negotiations. Other news from the capital reports on biotech, clinical trials, child welfare, and more.